Party like it's 1776: Weekend in Boston

This weekend I went to visit a friend of mine in Boston. It's been a rough couple of weeks and I was grateful when she called to offer me a chance to get out of town for the long weekend and celebrate the Fourth with her. I flew out Friday morning super early (5:00 exists in the a.m. too???) so I had almost a full day when I landed.

Knowing me as she does, our first stop was coffee and lots of it. We got an early lunch and then she took me to see her apartment. She lives in this awesome converted mill outside Boston- exposed brickwork and beams, tons of windows. It's gorgeous. After that, we spent the afternoon/evening at their friends' cookout. Unfortunately, it rained so we couldn't swim and the fireworks were cancelled, but we still made the most of it inside.

On Saturday, we went to Boston Common and walked around. We followed the Freedom Trail through the historic district and up to the North End for lunch, where the smell of garlic pervaded the streets. We ate an absurd amount of delicious pasta at a tiny corner restaurant until I could barely move. Nonetheless, I found it within me to eat cannolis from Mike's Pastry, which were so good and definitely worth having to cross the Mason-Dixon to taste. There wasn't room to eat there with the crowd, so we took them to the Harbor (that's hah-bah) and ate on a bench overlooking the boats. It was an absolutely perfect afternoon.

No, I didn't eat all four myself!

I love you Mike, whoever you are!

It's pronounced 'hah-bah.'

So delicious.

After my sugar crash subsided, we made our way to catch the T to Fenway Park. We were still a little early for baseball, so we went to a place called the Cask and Flagon to get a quick drink and watch the end of the World Cup game between the Netherlands and Costa Rica. I was glad we stopped since the game went to penalty kicks and an exciting finish. After cheering the Netherlands to victory, we walked on to Fenway. Even though the Red Sox lost to the Orioles, it was still a super fun experience and I'm so glad we got tickets so I could visit the 'Green Monstah.'

Those are our new friends photobombing us. They were so amused by the fact that I call my friend's boyfriend 'Yankee.'

Yesterday, I had to be back at the airport around 3, so we shopped around a little bit and got a late lunch at Legal Seafoods. My crab cake was delicious and the perfect last New England meal! All in all, my first foray to Boston was great. It was so nice to see my friend, be shown around her city, see new sights, and eat new things. Even if people kept looking at me funny when I said ya'll!

What fun things did you do this past holiday weekend?

Fourth of July Weekend Sales!

In case you needed something else to celebrate this weekend besides, you know,  America, here's a list of awesome sales to shop:

• Ann Taylor has a variety of sales going on, but all are for a 'limited time only' (no specific date, so shop early!)
• Anthropologie has their sale on sale - an extra 20% off with code BUZZ20 (shop my picks here)
• Banana Republic is offering 40% off in-stores and online with code BRJULY
• Bloomingdale's is offering 20-65% off in-stores and online
• C.Wonder's Semiannual sale includes items up to 70% off
• Gap's summer sale includes deals on plenty of basics
• J.Crew is offering 30% off with code JULY
• Kate Spade has their sale on sale - an extra 25% with code MORESALE
• Ann Taylor LOFT - $25 dresses, $6 tops, $15 sandals
• Old Navy- plenty of tanks and tees for under $10
• Zappos has a number of items included in their Fourth of July sale

Which sales will you be hitting this holiday weekend?

Memorial Day Weekend

This holiday weekend, I traveled to visit my boyfriend and his family. We're living in different cities this summer, which is difficult at times, but we both enjoy getting to travel to see the other and do new things. One thing that's always been a problem for me though is knowing what to pack! He's bad about letting me know what we'll be doing, so I always pack plenty of options.

Here's what I took with me for the sunny long weekend (clockwise from bottom left): Kate Spade Lucille Dress (old similar here), Kate Spade Floral sandals (similar here), J.Crew white toothpick jeans, J.Crew eyelet top (also old, similar Factory version here), Banana Republic silk print tank (similar here), J.Crew four-inch chino shorts, Lilly Pulitzer Buttercup shorts (old pattern, this year's version here), J.Crew ruffled silk tank (similar here and on sale!), Jack Rogers raffia sandals, J.Crew trellis floral mini, Jack Rogers Navajo sandals, J.Crew Factory Clare cardigan in red.

Here's a close-up of my Kate Spade sandals. I bought them last year, but it was late enough in the summer I never got to wear them! I'm excited to break them out now- they're a fun but still neutral touch.

Friday night my boyfriend, his parents, and I went to a baseball game. I wore my Kate Spade dress, my red cardigan and threw a denim jacket in my purse at the last minute. I was glad I'd decided to layer! It was so nice and hot while the sun was out, so I took off my sweater. But after the sun went down, I had my sweater and my denim jacket on (it also didn't make a bad pillow for the long ride home!) Unfortunately, our team lost so my boyfriend didn't want to take pictures and document the experience.

Saturday afternoon I spent shopping around town with my boyfriend's mother, and then we went out to dinner on the river. The sunset was so pretty, and it was so nice to watch the boats go past- especially with all the pretty lights on them!

As we were finishing up dinner, we got surprised by a fireworks show! It was actually put on for an event downtown, not far from where we ate, but I think everyone eating at the restaurant appreciated it as well. The picture absolutely doesn't show how pretty the fireworks were, but I tried!

On Sunday there wasn't much to do- so this picture is basically how I spent the day. My boyfriend's mother keeps the bookshelf in "my" room stocked with tons of novels, and I always read a few while I'm visiting them. The weather was so nice all I wanted to do was lay on their deck and read.

What fun things did you do this Memorial Day? Or were you like me and used the extra day to rest and be lazy?